Chusa Kim Jeonghui's Last Orchid Painting Becomes a National Treasure

'Kim Jeonghui's Brushwork Buli Seonrando' Represents Kim Jeonghui's Artistic World
'Gobulsa Yeongsanhwesangdo' and 'Buljosamgyeong' Also Designated as Treasures

The last orchid painting by Chusa Kim Jeonghui (1786?1856), titled 'Kim Jeonghui Pil Buliseonrando (金正喜 筆 不二禪蘭圖)', will be managed as a treasure. On the 24th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that this work, along with 'Gijang Gobulsa Yeongsanhoesangdo (機張 古佛寺 靈山會上圖)', 'Paju Bogwangsa Dongjong (坡州 普光寺 銅鍾)', and 'Buljosamgyeong (佛祖三經)', have been designated as national treasures.

'Kim Jeonghui Pil Buliseonrando' is a work in which Kim Jeonghui, who enjoyed painting ink orchids (mukran, 墨蘭) since his teenage years, practically demonstrated his theory that orchids should be painted using calligraphy brush techniques. The orchid is depicted in light ink at the center of the screen, and inscriptions (jebal, 題跋)?records about the background or appreciation of the work?are written in four places around it with high elegance. Various calligraphic styles are mixed, differing in shape and size. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "This work comprehensively represents Kim Jeonghui’s scholarly and artistic world, symbolizing 19th-century cultural history," and added, "It is also significant because the provenance can be confirmed through the seals."

'Gijang Gobulsa Yeongsanhoesangdo' is a Buddhist painting created in the 12th year of King Yeongjo’s reign (1736). It depicts the moment when Sakyamuni Buddha preaches the Lotus Sutra on Yeongchuksan Mountain, painted in color on silk. Centered on the seated Sakyamuni Buddha on a lotus pedestal altar, eight bodhisattvas, the Four Heavenly Kings, and ten principal disciples are arranged on the left and right according to their rank and role. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "Judging from the well-structured and stable composition and arrangement, as well as the strong contrast between the low-saturation red and green colors, it is presumed to have been created by painters such as Uigyun (義均), who were active in the Palgongsan area." They emphasized, "The content explained alongside the painting matches the inscription recorded in the colophon, making it a standard for studying Yeongsanhoesangdo iconography in the early 18th century."

'Paju Bogwangsa Dongjong' is a bronze bell confirmed by the casting record (juseonggi, 鑄成記)?which contains information about the bell’s production background, maker, and materials?to have been made in the 12th year of King Injo’s reign (1634) using 300 geun of bronze from Cheonbo (天寶). It faithfully inherits the style of early Joseon bronze bells, reflecting Korean aesthetics within the Chinese bell form. The bell body is divided into upper and lower parts by three horizontal bands. The upper part shows mold separation indicative of segmented casting, while the lower part features a neatly inscribed casting record in regular script (haeseoche). The Cultural Heritage Administration noted, "It is Cheonbo’s last work," and added, "Unlike other bronze bells that have often been relocated from their original enshrinement sites, this bell has been preserved and functioned intact at its initial location, which adds to its historical significance."

'Buljosamgyeong' at Seogwangsa Temple is a woodblock print edition reprinted at Wonamsa Temple in Jeonju in the 10th year of King Gongmin’s reign (1361), based on a Yuan dynasty edition. The content mainly consists of three sutras preached by Sakyamuni and patriarchs. It was relatively easily interpreted by the eminent Yuan monk Mengshan Deyi (1231?1308), providing assistance to beginners encountering Buddhist scriptures for the first time. The extant Goryeo dynasty editions are limited to three, including the earliest dated 'Jeonggaksa edition (1341)'. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "Compared to other copies already designated as treasures, this edition is superior in printing and preservation," and stated, "Its value as a fine edition (seonbon) justifies its designation as a treasure."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.